A Guardian's Rise

Chapters

Chapter One: One Small Change
Chapter Two: A Whole New World
Chapter Three: Setting the Stage
Chapter Four: Plans in Motion
Chapter Five: Confrontations
Chapter Six: Commitment & Resistance
Chapter Seven: Awakening

Chapter One: One Small Change

"So, this dream again, huh?" I say with a humored tone as I'm knelt over holding my abdomen, taking slow, shallow breaths as I smile in amusement at this familiar scenario, "Been a while for this one. Guess they went for my stomach and screwed it up?" I ask with further amusement as I lightly chuckle to myself, struggling to my feet looking up at... What even is it this time? Looks like some shadowy figure, I guess? Usually I can at least shape it out but this time, I got nothin'. It's just a void with hollowed out eyes that I don't recognize... But they're definitely holding a knife and that's definitely what's causing the pain... Wonder what I did to piss this one off so bad. May as well take a look around before this nightmare ends the same as usual.

Chancing a glance around the room, it's not the usual dark alley or some random street like usual. This is way different... Wait, this is Canterlot High. Why the heck am I having a dream about being stabbed at school? New developments with every passing second, eh? New, but definitely not unwelcome. Now the question is... Who would I think would wanna stab a high school nobody like me in the middle of the main foyer like this... Limestone? Nah, she doesn't give me time of day enough to hate me. Rainbow? No, she's too busy with sports and stuff... "Wait... Nah, it couldn't be her... We haven't talked since elementary. She doesn't care enough to... Does she...?" That thought hadn't even ocurred to me until now. But that was kinda short lived as the newly shaped being brought the knife to my throat and I finally got a chance to look them in the 'eyes', "... Hey--" And in a swift motion, I got a knife in my throat and everything goes black.

"And that's how my sleep went last night, how about you?" I say looking towards my friend, a grey skinned teen about a grade above me who had long since stopped paying attention to his handheld gaming and stared at me like I'd grown three heads, "... You game over'd a minute ago, by the way--"

"Dude, what is up with your dreams? Are you alright?" He asked in confused concern, which is why it's so fun to tell him my dreams and nightmares. His reactions are great, "First off, you seem to have a really weirdly recurring dream of random shadowy figures killing you in super grusome ways that most others would fear for their lives over."
"No point being scared of a nightmare."

"Second off, why our school? Who at our school, aside from Comet and I, even talk to you often enough for you to be on their shitlist?"

"I'm on your shitlist?"

"Wha-- No, of course not, dude! You're my friend, I'd never try to off you!" he says in a minor panic at the very thought that I'd think he would. That's one of the reasons I like Script. He's a dweeb with a heart of gold but the brain of a goldfish... Sometimes. Otherwise, my best friend. Has been for around the last ten years. We may as well have grown up together given our history. "You're with me on this, right Flash?"

And then there's him. Our friend Comet, probably top of his and Script's class and has been for as long as either of us can remember. I've never seen his name any lower than first on the rankings and he's definitely got the brain to back it up. We've asked him before why he goes to our school instead of Crystal Prep, but he's never answered. Actually, he usually seems to avoid it openly and without hesitation will try to change the subject, so I dropped it a while ago. Script, on the other hand, still bugs him about it now and then. But the moment he realizes that he's getting on either of our nerves with his questioning, he stops. So it's never gotten all that out of hand except for maybe a few times. Regardless, he had his nose in a book when he was questioned by our gamer bud and looked over for a moment before looking back down.

"It's more than likely nothing, given that dreams and nightmares are simply the subconscious concentrating any stress or anxiety into a manifestation for one to understand or work through or even the thought of something that one would wish to happen manifesting itself in a similar way. However, I don't believe Cloud has ever felt stress in all his days due to his sociopathy and apathetic behaviors showing no signs of it. Not to mention that, in his own words, "Giving a shit is too much trouble" I believe it was." he quoted me perfectly, as he usually does. I smile and snap my fingerguns at him with a wink and a click of my tongue as I re-pocket my hands in my faded blue jeans.

Script sighs and rubs the back of his head, "Man, the fact neither of you see anything wrong with any'a that is kinda weird to me... But, whatever. If it doesn't bother you, I'll drop it--"

"For now." Comet and I say in unison as Script chuckles nervously. We keep walking and talking like that for a while, Script going on about a new game or something coming out soon that he wants Comet and I to play with him, but between the fact Comet doesn't like videogames and I've got time on my hands, I'm the only one that even says 'maybe'. On the way past an alley, we hear someone shout that makes us all stop as we all peer down it, seeing a girl from our school, can't remember for the life of me what her name is, being cornered by a couple of meatheads. Now, see, I'm not exactly the 'Knight in shining armor' kinda guy, or the 'stick my neck out for others' kinda guy... So I don't. Comet's a nerd with no fighting prowess and Script is a gamer that would probably run at them shouting "Shoryuken!" or something. So, I start to walk away before hearing speedy footsteps rush right past us, followed by a familiar battle cry.

"Back off, clowns!" The guy shouts jumping up and kicking one of the guys in the face, jumping off him and punching the other as they fall over. Landing in front of this green haired girl who I swear I know from somewhere, is a teenager about my age with cerulean frost-tipped hair and emerald green eyes full of heroic determination, wearing a denim vest and a pair of silver dogtags, denim jeans and red sneakers. This hero wannabe is Sonic Boom, another one of my classmates and, I guess, a friend. I guess I kinda enjoy is company but jeez can he be annoying with his hero complex bullshit. Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy... But he wants to be the good guy. Like, literally a hero from comic books or something.

Anyway, the goons he knocked down get back up (rookie mistake) and charge him. He takes this stance that I swear he ripped from an anime with a hand behind his back and the other palm facing him as he darts at them quick. What else would you expect from the captain of the Cross Country and Track team. He dashes up at them, dodges a punch, trips the guy and just swings him around with his own momentum into the other dude. Fucking cool to watch but given he may or may not have thrown the first guy head first into the other dude's junk... Let's just say I wish I was recording. With the two guys holding their heads, in more than one regard, he points down at them and then a thumbs down, "You two had enough? Or do I have to teach you another lesson about personal space?" he says in this super cliche action hero sounding tone.

The guys groan and get up stumbling as they back up and run to the mouth of the alley where they saw the three of us, apparently thinking we were next on their ass-kicking train as they scream like frightened kids and kneel down begging to be let go. The three of us just look at one another and then walk past them up to Sonic. Guess those guys took it as us showing mercy cause they turned tail quick from what I heard, "Hey Sonic, playing hero extraordinaire again?" I say walking up and giving him a greeting in the way of a fist bump.

"What up, bruh? I guess you could say that. I heard the shout from across the street and came running, as you probably saw, right? And I guess the rest needs no telling since, you know... You were there." he chuckles as he turns around, "You okay, Wallflower?" he says concerned as this girl looks kinda shocked and just nods and runs away past us, Sonic turning to watch her run as he waves, "Hey, be more careful on the way to school! Okay?" he calls out as she keeps running without a response. Still have no idea who she is, but at least now I know her name.

"Wait a sec. Sonic, you said you heard her from across the street, right?" Script said confusedly with seemingly growing concern as Sonic nods and chuckles with a little strain.

"Yeah... About that," he says before falling over onto me as he groans, "I, uh... Might've gotten clipped by a moped on the way across." He says as I look down at his legs and, sure enough, his leg looked kinda twisted. I'll be honest, if there's one thing about his weird amount of heroic nature that impresses me, it's that for some reason, this doofus will actually injure himself just to help someone else. I would never do that. Like... Ever. It's stupid. But for some reason, he does it anyway. It's probably because he's an idiot, but hey, most of the heroes he seems to trademark himself after are idiots too, so... Imitate your heroes or whatever.

While we're on our way out of the alleyway, a black motorcycle pulls up in front of us as a dark individual we're all more than familiar with takes his helmet off, revealing a guy with long black hair and crimson eyes, a black leather jacket with a red t-shirt beneath and black jeans-- Fuck it, imagine the word 'edge' personified. It's this guy, Sonic Boom's brother. His name was Jet Stream last I checked. He's the school delinquent and usually second fiddle to his brother, "What are you doing here, you idiot? And what the hell happened to your leg?" He growls in annoyance as Sonic only chuckles, "Well, whatever. You guys can handle getting him to school on time, I have better things to do." He says in a disinterested tone as he puts his helmet back on and drives off and down the road, taking a sharp right. If I remember correctly, I think he was dating Pinkie Pie's older sister, Maud... Can't remember, don't care, moving on.

Anyway, with this idiot's arm over mine and Script's shoulders, and now fully entrusted to us by Jet, we walk our way to school. We gain quite a few looks on the way in, more than likely from the Sonic Boom Fan Club or the SBFC as they're openly known as throughout the school. We drop him off at the nurse's office, she asks us what happened and we promptly leave him to explain how he fucked up his own legs doing something heroic. Again. For probably, like, the twelfth time this month. I say my goodbyes to Script and Comet as they go to their homeroom and I leave to my own, taking a seat promptly at the back of the class and putting in my earbuds as I wait for the bell to ring. Yes, somehow we got to school before the bell. No idea how.

While I'm waiting, I doodle for a bit and sketch, letting my mind wander with my music as I just shut my eyes and let the pencil go. It's less work to draw when you're not paying your hand any mind consciously. Seriously, try it sometime, it's fun. Soon, I get a light tapping on my shoulder, which quickly turns into pats as I groan and open my eyes, popping an earphone out and looking up to see the resident prima donna of the school next to me with... Wait, is that Applejack? "Well, Hell must've frozen over recently. I thought you two stopped talking after the whole 'Sunset Shimmer pulling the strings of your friendship like a marionette' thing."

"Well, we've-- Wait, you knew?"

"Tried telling Rainbow Dash, she blew me off. Tried telling you, you said I didn't know what I was talking about. Tried Pinkie Pie, but... Y'know... Too much energy to unpack there, so I left it. Figured three tries was three too many." I say with a shrug as I put my pencil down and cross my arms leaning back, "So what do I owe the... Interaction?" I say a bit disgruntled. The two stare at me for a second and soon, carry on.

"Well, we were hoping that you'd vote for our new friend, Twilight Sparkle, to be Fall Formal Princess! There's, apparently, quite a lot riding on it. So... Can we count on you?" she says hopefully, getting in my face a bit as I clear my throat.

"First, my personal bubble was three steps back from where you are now. Second, I've never voted for any prom princess ever. Why would I start now just because you two asked?" I say with a bit more irritation as I go to pick up my pencil again before Applejack slams her hand over it, my gaze slowly drifting up towards her, "... For real?"

"Cloud, we're sorry fer' not listenin' to ya', but this is important! We ain't never asked y'fer' nothin' b'fore. D'ya' think you could--"

"Make an exception this one time so you can help your new friend I've never met and/or heard of to overthrow Sunset for reasons I still don't know cause you don't seem to want to explain?" I interrupt with a blank stare as I chuckle, "I can be petty, AJ. But that takes incentive and effort. Two things I highly lack. So, sorry, but I'm gonna have to make it a hard n--"

"If we can score y'tickets to the Countess Caloratura concert comin' in a week 'r two, will that suffice?"

She... She didn't just say that. There's no way she just said what I think she did... Did she? I slowly look back up at Applejack with a shocked expression, "Countess... Coluratura...? Like... For real? You can score me tickets?"

She smirks at me and crosses her arms leaning on my desk, "Front row seats. Bring who y'want or go alone, Ah' can get 'em."

"... Applejack, if anyone else had said those words to me, I'd call bullshit... But..." I groan and scratch the side of my head before peering back up, "... When're the ballots due?"

Stupid Applejack and her stupid Coluratura tickets, making vote for her stupid friend and come to the stupid Fall Formal just to put in my stupid last minute ballot... I don't even wanna be here. But noooo, she just has to be the one that knows I'm Coluratura's biggest friggin' fan. We just had to be at the music store at the exact same time... Whatever. I just have to cast my vote, wait for the results and pick up my reward. Easy. I walk up the steps to the school and to the gymnasium wearing a black polo and black jeans, perfect for staying out of sight and out of mind. Just so long as I don't get spotted by--

"Is that Cloud I see~?" ... God fucking dammit... I turn around holding my ballot in hand before dropping it in behind my back and being met with none other than... Her, That flaming hair, the cerulean eyes that would kill if she could, the devious grin... Dammit has she changed since we were little. I sigh and give a light smile pocketing my hands.

"What's up Sunny? Long time, no talk. Actually, I think this is the most you've talked to me in... What, three years since Middle school? Trying to break a record here?" I say sarcastically as she chuckles. Dammit I ~~missed~~ hate that freaking chuckle.

"Cloudy, it's been forever and you're gonna be like that with your oldest friend? What happened to the shade to my sunlight, huh?" She says sauntering up and reaching a hand up to cup my cheek only for me to grab her wrist and force it away.

"Sorry, It's gotten a bit overcast on my end of the relationship. What do you want, Sunset? That's the only reason you'd wanna play nice." I hiss with annoyance as I let her go, the two dingbats on either side of her getting in a defensive stance to protect their boss as she holds up her hand to call them off, "Dull and Slow? What, was Rent-A-Lackey closed?" I say snidely as they look minorly hurt.

"You're perceptive... On both accounts, really. I need you to vote for me. You and your group of buddies." She says crossing her arms defiantly. I sigh and shake my head with a sharp snicker.

"Oh Sunset, you deceitful snake of a girl. There's no way in hell Sonic, Script or Comet would ever vote for you. They don't like you anymore than I do. And believe me," I glare a bit more and let my voice darken, "I stopped giving a damn years ago."

She gasps and glares as she clenches her fists before taking a breath, that calm smirk of a sly fox in the hen house appearing on her face again, "That's perfectly fine. I'll win without your worthless vote anyway." She says turning away and waving backwards at me, "Have fun, loser." she says as she saunters away laughing. Whatever, she's just full of hot air. Still haven't met this Twilight chick or whatever, but now I'm really hoping she wins.

"And the Princess of the Fall Formal is... Twilight Sparkle!" Vice Principal Luna calls out among the crowd as they all cheer, some lavender girl with purple hair and different colored highlights running up on stage to take the crown before a sudden light comes over the stage. I smirk at my own personal victory and turn to promptly leave before I see Slow and Dull sneaking out the gymnasium door with... A purple and green dog? Well, that's weird. But what happens there is none of my--

"Spike!" Wait, what? I turn and see that 'Twilight' girl rush away towards where I saw Snips and Snails go with the dog, the rest of the girls, including Applejack, running to follow. I groan as I rush after to get my tickets and leave, hoping I won't get involved with the dog too much only to see Sunset with her goons and a fucking sledgehammer threatening to destroy a 'portal'... Did she get involved with drugs recently or does she seriously think our school statue is some weird ass portal? Either way, if I'm gonna get my tickets I gotta get that dog away from her. Maybe I'll even score some backstage passes for this.

I hear them spouting some shit about the crown being magic or something and I promptly walk past them in annoyance, going up towards tweedle dee and dum who look defensively at me as I rear back and deck Snips in the face, the dog dropping and swiftly running to Twilight who hugs him tight. I smirk and turn towards Sunset only to see her shout and swing the sledgehammer at me, causing me to quickly duck as she suddenly gets thrown off kilter by the momentum and the hammer goes long, flying through the air back towards the girls and... Oh fuck... Right into that Twilight girl's head.

Sunset, Snips, Snails, the girls and even the dog and I stare in horror seeing the crown roll across the ground and over towards Sunset, some blood slowly dripping off it as she reaches over and takes it, slowly turning her laugh into a loud cackling as she takes it up into her hands and places it on before she seems to turn into some weird she-demon. I stare up at her for a bit and then look back towards Twilight who looks pretty limp laying there on the ground, her dog nudging her and telling her to get up, which I don't question given what's happening to Sunset as I catch Applejack's eye, tears flowing as she grows a dark glare. I stutter, unable to even come up with words to say as Sunset flies down next to me, "See, Cloudy~?" She says as she forcefully cups my cheek and pulls me onto my feet, "I. Still. Won." She growls as she sighs, "Though this is an even greater victory than I'd thought possible, all thanks to you." She chuckles as she begins to crescendo into a roaring laughter as she turns and holds her hand out towards the statue, a blast escaping her hand as it starts to crackle with this weird multi-colored energy.

The light from the cracks only grows brighter as she burns it away and then, everything slowly goes white and a ringing enters my ears. Before I know it, it all goes black.

Author's Note

Now this is the beginning of something beautiful that I've been trying to depict for a long, LONG while. But I did it. I hope you all enjoy, and I hope you'll stay tuned for more. Cause I'm just getting started.

Chapter Two: A Whole New World

'Ugh... Everything hurts... What happened? Last thing I remember, I... I was at a party or something, right? That doesn't sound like me... I hate parties... And ponies. And especially-- Wait, did I say 'ponies'? I meant 'people', why the buck would I-- ... Okay, something is terribly wrong here... I'm just gonna get up and get my bari-- Oh fuck! Yep, okay, legs aren't working...'

Cloud continued on like a groaning mess for a bit as he finally tries opening his eyes. Revealing his cerulean orbs to the sky, he can tell that it's far brighter than normal, even if it were summer. But the cool winds of autumn and the rustling of leaves did little but dash those thoughts to the shores of unlikelihood as he stumbled to his--

"Holy fuck, where are my feet!?" the doofus shouts in little more than terrified shock, "Yeah, I can hear you, prick..." he states plainly to-- ... Wait, are you talking to me? "Whoever you are, yeah. I can hear you narrating my every movement like some bad fanfic. Seriously, could you make looking at the sky sound any more unrelentingly poetic?"I always do this in my own head. It's kinda how I entertain myself when I got nothing better to do. "Yeah, okay. Few questions." May or may not have a few answers

Cloud went to respond before a few things suddenly clicked, "Wow, that sounds kinda like a response I'd give..." And that sounds a lot like how I'd comment on that response... "Not to mention you sound a lot like me too..." They said, stating similarities back and forth before Cloud stated what he knew they were both thinking.

"Goddammit, you're me. Wait, did you say Celestia? He's a religious figure. Because that's my principal. I don't wanna go into it."
Celestia dammit, you're me. Who's God? Yeah, why? Religious figure to who? Weird, she's the ruler here.

The two spoke simultaneously and almost instantly asked and answered one another's questions at rapid fire before both giving a solemn sigh, "Okay, this is weird." You think this is weird, don't look around you. "Wait, why nooooo fucking way..." He said as, looking around, he saw that he was outside of Canterlot High, but it seemed far different. For one, it appeared more like a castle than a school and had many new additions. Multiple spiralling towers, guards restraining civilians of varying builds, sizes and shapes with spears, shields and the like. Apparently something outrageous was going on. Stumbling to our hooves, Cloud staggered over towards the new school castle hybrid building.

At the front were the girls he'd just seen, he thought, but they all looked different. They had wings and horns and... That Twilight girl was the same, but still on the ground, bleeding profusely from her head as guards all around went to her aid and lifted her, carrying her away towards the doors of the castle/school/thing. As they did, they passed by what looked like Principal/Princess Celestia and Vice Principal/Princess Luna but something was most definitely... Off.

Wings, horns, hooved feet and all that, they were some kind of magical horse-- 'Pony' ... Whatever, hybrids. Rushing down the steps, obviously a little clumsily themselves due to the new forms, Celestia ran to Twilight as Luna rushed down to the other girls, "Applejack, girls, are you alright!?" She asked in a louder, almost devastatingly so, tone as the very sound of her voice caused a small breeze. In doing so it snapped the girls out of their dazed or even unconscious states with a scream.

"Ow! Holy crap, it's like being face to face with a stage amp!" Cloud groaned covering his ears and wobbling a bit as I laugh my ass off at the display, being fully prepared for the noise. "How are you so calm about this, dude? Is this not weird?" I am currently in my own head with another me as a pony/bipedal alien hybrid. This is hilarious as far as I care! "... Glad to see the sociopathy barrier between us is nonexistent. Eeyup.

"Anyway, why're the girls from my school... Wait, where's--" Cloud was cut off by a sudden maniacal laughter as he looked back to see that Sunset Shimmer was no different than the rest of them aside from the demonic wings and now crimson fading to orange skinfur tone. He scrambles to turn fully as he takes rapid breaths before a shout from behind him comes in the form of Applejack huffing hard as her eyes glow a bright, enraged green, her every breath seething as she charges at Cloud.

"Sunset Shimmer ya' dirty bitch!" She roars as she leaps over him, clearing him and then some as she reels a hand back and throws it out, only for Sunset to roar back, making her gasp as she is sent back by a blast of magical flame and sent back into Cloud who instinctively leaped into the air, a pair of white and turquoise striped wings erupt from his back, avoiding the flying farmhand.

"Wha-- Since when could I..." Try not to think into it too much. I'll try and explain the best I can later. For now, I think we should peace out. "But what about--" If they're anything like the ones who they've apparently been combined with, believe me when I say that they'll be beyond fine and probably fix all this in approximately two, maybe three days. "If you say so..." He said as he looked down at Applejack who groaned and shook it off looking up towards him with widened eyes of shock that soon became those of pure hate before he turned his back to her, looking back towards Sunset with semi-shocked eyes before giving a light grin and flexing his fingers in a passive farewell, making her eyes widen with shock before she seemed to look around in confusion. He then turned completely away and flew away into a random direction, flying through the tundra of the once Snowy North, now combined with what looked like a city.

"What happened... What is this place? It looks like my town but... Way too different..." Welcome to Equestria, or whatever it's become now that you and whoever those randos were showed up and made the place erupt. The other voice said as they sailed through the sky. He squinted as he seemed to be analyzing the streets before he sighed, "At least that means if the streets are sort of the same, my place should be nearby." Well that's definitely a plus. This is the most excitement I've experienced since my creation. Man was that a mess. He thought with a light cackle as Cloud blinked confused but shrugged, "You're gonna explain that later. Right?" Huh? Oh yeah, sure. Got nothing but time so why not. Let's just get to our place so we can-- "My place." Whatever, semantics. I'll explain this world, you explain yours, and we'll-- "Couldn't we just swap memories and combine them? Since you're in my head, I mean?"

There was a silence as the two landed at Cloud's front door, almost as if someone was staring at the ether after being told a good point that couldn't easily be refuted as he simply heard the voice say Huh... Yeah, I guess. Never tried that before since the only one up here is usually me, myself and whatever weird ass thoughts I have on a day-to-day basis. "Same. Anyway, let's just get in." He said as he opened the door and walked in. Within the confines of this two-story home was an instant look at the living room, set up with a C-shaped couch around a glass coffee table, a few books on it as well as a television, consoles, games across from it with a couple controllers. To the side was the kitchen, up the stairs was more crap that no one really cares much about since they probably will never see it unless they went up there so Cloud decided to walk over to the couch and flip over onto it backwards so his legs were hanging off the back, his head leaned back as his back was to the seat.

He took a deep breath and exhaled with a heavy sigh, "Alright, give it a sho-- FUCK!!!" They both shouted falling to the ground after flipping fully onto and off of the couch as they screamed, one's scream causing the other pain as it went back and forth between the two of them, clutching their head before falling over unconscious onto the ground as everything went black.

"Where the hell did he... Where'd he go!?" Applejack shouted in a fury as she then turned her attention back to Sunset Shimmer who was seemingly just as confused but seemed to sense Applejack's rage as she turned back and simply grinned, "You... You're gonna pay fer' what'cha did t' Twi..." She growled as she crouched and went to lunge at her again before Sunset put a hand out as if to tell her to stop, which she did.

"You really believe Twilight Sparkle's death is on my hands?" She said with a smirk as Applejack looked at her in confusion, "Applejack, think. I simply held the hammer. I had no intention of swinging at Sparkle, she was simply the unfortunate outcome of Cloud moving out of the way and my hands slipping." She said as she floated down and seemed to lose her demonic form as she stepped over to her with a sad smile, "I have an idea, however. He's a thorn in both of our sides and killed your friend. I never intended such a foul fate for anyone... So why don't we help each other?" She said as Applejack kept her fists up at the ready before she groaned and flinched away, tears running down her right eye as she held more of a pained grimace.

"T-Twilight... Twi would never want revenge... Even if it's for her..." She groaned as her voice softened as she let her hands slowly lower to her sides, "She knew... What she was doin' was dangerous... But..." She clenched her teeth as she growled, "Shut up! Revenge is exactly what I should be takin'!" She growled as she looked around, "Where in tarnation..." she said in confusion, panting as she looked over to Sunset, "What kinda games're y'all playin' here?!" She shouted as Sunset simply stood there dumbfounded as Rainbow Dash and the others rushed up to her sides.

"AJ, you alright? What was that?" Dash said in confused shock as she suddenly had tears falling down her face as her eyes began to flicker for a moment before she wiped her eyes, "N-No. No crying right now." She said as she looked at Sunset, "I don't like this... Why would we help you after all you did to thwart Twilight?"

"Indeed! We've no reason to assist you, she-demon! Regardless of whatever power you posses, it holds no sway over us!" She shouted through her heavy breaths, make-up running down her face as Pinkie was still attempting to console Fluttershy.

"Simple. I know Cloud and what happened to your precious Twilight Sparkle was by his hand as much as mine. You need me to get to him." She said crossing her arms, 'Not to mention whatever that vanishing act he pulled was, it could prove problematic... Better to have these fools on my side just in case.' she said as she took a breath and smirked, "Now, do we have a deal or not?" She said simply as the girls all looked at one another with concern and wavering confidence.

A few hours later, Cloud groaned and placed a hand on the glass table as he pulled himself up, "Ugh... Man, that... Was a lot at once... You alright, Ether?" Yeah... Yeah, I'm alright-- Wait, did you just call me 'Ether'? "I mean, yeah. I'd prefer to call you something other than my name so I don't feel like more of a schizo than people would probably already think I am talking to someone they can't hear." A fair statement. Alright, Ether it is I guess. Also, your life is... Yikes. "Believe me when I say I don't need anyone's pity, especially my own. By the way, what the hell is a Tirek and a Cozy Glow--" I promise that it's easier if I don't explain. Just know that they're part of my existence in one way or another-- ... You didn't mention her. "Mention who?" The Changeling Queen. Why didn't you mention her? "She reminded me of my school's Guidance Councilor that slept with a few students and got fired for it-- Wait, you know that now, why'd you ask?" Wanted to see if you'd say it out loud. Good, we still don't care about blunt statements. Now, what to do...

The two sat there for a while as they thought back and forth before snapping their fingers, "We should go check on the guys." Oh yeah, your friends... Well, now that I know where they live, I can just do this. "Do wha--" He stopped as he turned around saw that he was face to face with a door, having run face first into it with a groan, "Sonuvafuck!" Oh right, I can transport us pretty much anywhere... Probably should've shared that part. "Motherfucker, how much did you hold back on me?" I gave you the important bits! ... Meh, most of 'em anyway. "That's fair, I did too." Cool, we're even. Now let's see if he's ho-- To the left! he shouted as Ether lunged to the left and the door was blown off it's hinges by a blazing red flame as an enraged scream surged out from the house.

"What the hell was that?!" Judging from that spout of flame, I'd wager a guess your buddy's 'othersider' as we were planning to call them, is a... He wandered as he watched a dark grey, larger, long haired and bearded man with blazing, flame-like hair and emerald green eyes and a curved horn that, at the tip, ended with a deep crimson. Walking out, he was wearing a black tank top with three triangles in a pyramid formation and grey sweatpants, a seething look on his face. A Kirin. His othersider is a kirin... And one with the most pure rage energy I think I've ever seen in life. "Is that normal?" What? Him? Oh hell no, I've never seen this guy before. Cloud groaned as he then saw the Kirin man look directly at him before a shocked expression appeared on his face as he smiled wide.

The burning flame of a mane and beard faded as what was left behind was a similarly dark grey stallion man with a black half-shave with blue highlights and instead of a full beard, a simple soul patch. The horn that still remained was not curved whatsoever but was still quite a side, "Holy crap, Cloud? Is that you, dude?" He laughed as he ran over and gave him a hug which Ether seemed to walk right through as he phased through him and appeared on the other side, Gamer falling over in a groan as he shot up and rubbed his new horn, "Owowowowow...."

"Oh yeah, he's a hugger by the way." Gee, couldn't tell.

"You talking to your Invader too?" Gamer said confusedly as he stood up with a smile as Cloud looked at him with minor surprise, "Yeah, mine is kinda... Well, he's super angry. No idea why." He said with a chuckle as he sat cross legged as he leaned on one hand.

"Yeah, we could tell. Mind explaining what pissed off the big guy in the first place? Cause warning him was a last second save on my part." Ether said as he crossed his arms in a slightly slouched position with a risen brow, expectant of an answer of some form.

"No clue. I was gaming, like usual, and I died a few times which usually wouldn't steam me too much. But something in me just made my blood Boil over it for some reason..." He said, a light growling tone stressing the word as he took a deep breath and smiled, "But then when I saw you, I was all chill, cause I'm just happy to see you're alright." He said standing up and pocketing his hands, "So... Mind explaining why we're both horse people?" He said tilting his head as Cloud and Ether sighed.

Chapter Three: Setting the Stage

"So lemme get this straight," Script said as he adjusted his door, making sure it could still close once he finished putting it back on it's hinges, "Our world has combined or morphed or something with this other world--"
"Equestria."
"Right, and by doing this we've become hybrids by our opposing beings--"
"Othersiders."
"Right... Our 'Othersiders' fusing with us somehow and all this was caused cause Sunset smashed a statue that ended up being some kinda interdimensional portal? And that Twilight girl is dead!?" he shouted the final piece in shock and outrage as Cloud went to respond, only to look to the ground scratching his cheek.

"I... We don't know. It definitely wasn't looking good from where we were standing. And now Applejack and their lot are pissed at me." He groaned as he slumped, "I knew those stupid Coluratura tickets weren't worth it..."

"Wait... You're saying that all this is happening..." Script said with a seething breath as crimson began to take over his teal and gray hair as he turned in a flash to glare at him, "Because of some stupid concert tickets!?" the raging teen before them shouted, his usually greyish-blue eyes flashing to striking emerald greens as he seethed, bursts of visibly hot air slipping through his bared teeth.

Not gonna lie, that is kinda stupid. "Did I ask for your input, Aether?" Nah, but I'm gonna give it anyway. "Wow, thanks so much." Cloud groaned before suddenly being grabbed by the collar and lifted easily off the ground.

"Do you even realize how many creatures, how many people you've endangered for your own stupid personal gain!? How many lives you may've not only ruined but ended!?" he roared in his face as Cloud groaned, struggling in his iron grip.

"S-Script... Dude, do you wanna hear an apology or something? It's not like I knew Sunset would go She-Demon!" He groaned before he was phased through the hand holding him up, backing off from him and falling on his ass looking up at the panting kirin. "Cool it, big shot..." Aether said in a more warning tone as he hovered off the ground and onto their feet.

The blazing behemoth seemed to continue growling in a feral fashion before he suddenly closed his eyes and began taking deep breaths, flame escaping upon exhaling. He slowly shifted back to Script's normal form before opening his eyes, "Sorry about that. Big guy seemed pretty peeved... But yeah, can't blame you too heavily. You're a big Coluratura fan and I'm sure AJ had you covered. Who'd have even guessed Sunset had that kinda malice in her..." He said scratching the back of his head in thought.

"... Are you just gonna be a time bomb from now on or...?"
"Oh, big red? Yeah... No clue yet. He seems to get worked up pretty easy, but I'm sure we can work something out later." He said nonchalantly as he chuckled a bit, a nervous smile on his face before pausing, "Oh yeah, shouldn't we go check on the others? Comet and Sonic I mean?"

"Probably, but knowing Sonic he's eating this up depending on what his Other is gonna be--" he stopped short as a strong gust of wind suddenly kicked up, the two of them bracing against the gale before looking to see a royal blue, one-winged hippogryph standing at the doorway. Panting in what one could assume was either excitement or terror as a familiar smile broke out across his face. Seeing this new creature appear before them, Cloud simply turned to Script with a simple gesture towards them and stated nonchalantly, "Told'ja."

"Script? Cloud?! Dudes, this is awesome! I ran here and everything was like a blur!" He laughed excitedly as he stepped in, "And you guys look pretty cool too! You've got wings," he said pointing to Cloud, "You've got a horn," he then gestured to Script, "And I've got super speed! This is epi-- Ow!" He groaned as he held his head and groaned a bit, rubbing his temples with a sigh, "And a splitting headache that won't quit..." He lamented as he leaned against the couch, "Anywho, you guys seen Comet?"

Cloud and Script looked at one another then back before shaking their heads, "I immediately came here after I got done at home."
"And I just woke up a little over a few hours ago." Script admitted with a sheepish grin.

"Damn... With the world the way it is now, I bet he's either super confused like we are or hyper fixated on figuring this place out already... He might even be at the door right... Now!" Sonic said swiftly turning to point towards the door in which... There was no one. The doorway stayed barren, "Huh... Thought that would work..."

Cloud sighed as Script laughed heartily at their friend, hugging his abdomen, "Sonic, why would that have worked? He's not some eldritch being that you can just make appear." Cloud reasoned as he shook his head, "Anyway, we should get going. Sunset's more than likely already making a move for... Whatever the hell she's trying to accomplish and I don't wanna get swept up in--"

"Whoa whoa whoa, Sunset Shimmer? She did all'a this?" Sonic said a bit more confusedly. Cloud groaned in frustration, knowing well that he'd have to go through the entire rundown all over again. And so, with a swift turn, he fell back onto the couch and gestured to a seat to the side, "Let's get this over with..."

Sunset Shimmer and the Hu-Mane Six walked into Sunset's apartment, a small staircase leading up to the landing holding her bed and a dresser while the lower level held a sizable sofa, a coffee table covered in papers with writings of vengeance, anger, aggression. Even without glimpsing at the pages it was like the held malice in every pen stroke. As they walked in, Sunset sighed contently, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she lay across her couch. The group of them peered around at the room and one another before Rainbow Dash broke the silence, "Hey! You said you had some kinda plan, Shimmer. This better not be another one of your lies or else I'll--" she gasped, being cut short as an aquamarine and Crimson sparkled aura wrapped around her neck, making Rainbow gasp and claw at the magic worthlessly.

"Or else you'll what, Dash? You have no power here..." She said with a grin as she was holding her now red, clawed hand out, the aura surrounding it as she dragged Rainbow Dash over and forced her onto her knees to look the lied down Sunset Shimmer in the eyes, "You all will do as I say... Don't want anyone else getting hurt like poor little Scootaloo, do we?" She said as Rainbow's eyes widened with shock and dread. She went silent for a moment as she hung her head and let her arms slump down.

Applejack quickly moved to grab her before Rainbow Dash held a hand out behind to her, lifting her head up to force out, "Fine... I... I'll do what you say." She said with a humiliated and angered tone as the aura faded, dropping Rainbow to all fours as she took gasping breaths to refill her air supply. Applejack continued her rush and helped her onto her feet with Pinkie by her other side as Sunset chuckled.

"Good. Now that I'm sure you all see where you stand at the moment, we have business to take care of." She said sitting back up and standing before them, "First and foremost, I'm sure you all want to get revenge for that dumb Sparkle, right? Well, you know I wasn't the one that caused it. Not directly, anyway." She said as she swiped her hand across her table and it showed what could only be called some form of a hologram of their home, the modern and the magic shining through equally in the architecture of buildings, the mountainous cities, high rises flying in the clouds. To them it was both fantastical and somehow... Normal in a strange way, "Who you want is that idiot coward, Cloud. He lives over here," she said as she pointed to a more sophisticated neighborhood on the border of Canterlot Commons, "But, just like the rest of us, he seems to now have powers... Which makes him unpredictable and far more frustrating. So what we'll do is--"

"N-No."
The room went quiet as they all peered over to the shivering and confused form of Fluttershy who held her skirt, ruffling it and seeming to try and calm herself down. Sunset heard this and glared towards her, "What was that?"
"I-I said 'no'! Twilight... She wouldn't want us to hunt someone. To hurt someone for our own selfish reasons." She said as her shivering stopped and she grew a more determined look, a flash coming to her eyes, "Twilight knew that there were risks to leaving. To going to that world. Though she isn't here, I know she wouldn't want anyone being hurt because of her. I know I wouldn't. So I say 'no', Sunset Shimmer!" she shouted before being shoved away suddenly by a burst of magical flame, sending her reeling as she fell to the ground across the room.

The rest of them went to rush to her before they all seized up, grunting and growling to move as Sunset walked past them, "Seems like the scared little worm grew a spine..." She said as she picked her up by her collar and rose a hand, "If Twilight had the element of Magic... You all are obviously the others, so, I have to wonder..." She said slowly bringing the glowing hand towards the side of her head, "Where are the other artifacts..."

"And there you go, whole schpeal from beginning to end... Again." Cloud said with an annoyed grumble as Sonic stared at him wide eyed and mouth agape. Cloud tilted his head as he floated off the couch and snapped his fingers in front of him, "Uh... Sonic?"
Think we broke him?
"Hope not. I don't have the will or patience to go through the whole thing again. Next time, remind me to just write footnotes or somethi--" Cloud was cut short as Sonic's fist suddenly collided with his nose, sending him reeling and over the back of the couch he'd once been sitting on, "Ow! Fucking Parasprite piss what was that for!?" He shouted shooting back up from behind the couch.

"Sorry, that was a knee-jerk reaction. But you gotta admit, from what you just said? Way beyond deserved." He said in a still flabbergasted tone as he stood and rubbed his hand, "Like... I get you were trying to help, bro. Really I do. But why would you antagonize an angry chick with a sledge?! Especially when she's your--"

"Whoa there, Sonic," Gamer said from his place on the ground with a controller in hand as he paused his game, "No need to bring up the war wounds, my dude. The past should stay in the past sometimes." He said as he pulled Cloud back over the couch and sat him down, "Gotta admit though, still kinda stupid the second time around." He admitted with a shrug as Cloud slowly glared back at him. He blinked and slumped back to the ground as he played his game.

"Yes, again, I admit what I did was stupid. If I could take it back, I never would've gone to that stupid dance in the first place. Better yet, I wouldn't have gone to collect my tix until afterwards. But between the fact my Saturday night was on the line, I was impatient, and they looked like they needed some semblance of help while I had no clue what was going on? I thought it was a good idea at the time. So can you two kindly just get off my di--"

"There you three are." Said a deeper, darker toned voice as the three turned to see who it was, though Sonic held a bright excited smile on his face at first from the voice. When they'd looked over, they were startled to see a taller, dark skinned teen with scaled, clawed hands, black jeans, a familiar grey denim vest and long black hair with silver eyes standing in the doorway. Even without his bike beneath him, they could all tell immediately that this was Jet Noir, Sonic's brother.

"Whoa... Jet?" Sonic said surprised as he dashed over and looked at him, the two of similar height though Jet certainly had the more muscular tone between them. "You... Look epic! Your other is a dragon! That's so freaking cool! Hey hey hey, breathe fire or something!" He said buzzing around him excitedly like a bee around a flower before Jet grabbed him by his face and pushed him slowly to the side. He proceeded to walk over to Cloud and sat down in a solo seat to the side of he and Script as he sighed and shut his eyes. The three watched him carefully, as if trying to gauge what he was thinking before he broke the silence, "I don't know how, I don't know why, and I honestly don't care. But I know you had something to do with this," he said looking over to Cloud as he stared absently at him, "Am I right?"

Cloud sighed and looked to the ground before nodding, "I see... Figures. You and my idiot brother never seem to be able to do anything without causing trouble. For others or yourselves... But this time, you put, what, the entire world in danger with this stunt?" He said plainly as Cloud clenched his teeth, "Don't get mad." He said as Cloud's head shot up, "Don't get upset or something, it'll only make you think less. You, of all of your little group, usually keep your head clearest. So keep doing that and think of how you can fix this instead of dawdling around and feeling sorry for yourself."

The three of them stared at him as he looked directly into Cloud's eyes, a sort of tiredness to them as he stood up, "Now, I need to go find Maude and make sure she and her sisters are okay. You all, fix this." He said simply as he made his way towards the door.

Cloud took a breath and sighed as he smirked his usual bored, unfazed smirk and watched him go before saying, "Hey Jet." He called, stopping Jet from leaving as he turned his head to the side and Cloud stood, "We'll fix this... But I expect a good word put in for me to Limestone after this is all over. Capise?" He said with arms crossed as Jet stared at him over his shoulder for a minute before sighing and turning back to the exit.

"You have no chance either way, but sure. Watching you get rejected will definitely be cheap entertainment." He said as a pair of large, black wings shot out from his back and he leapt into the sky.

Sonic stared in shock and awe before quickly turning and looking at Cloud, "What kinda deal is that?! You'll save the world if you get a date with Limestone!?" He said in confusion as Cloud simply walked over and pat his shoulder.

"Oh poor, naive Sonic. You know how I operate," he said as his eyes flashed and he grinned wide, "Who else am I gonna take to the concert once we fix all this?" he said with a chuckle before turning back, "Now c'mon, we gotta go find Comet. That brainiac'll no doubt have some sort of idea." He said as he began walking calmly down the street, leaving Sonic and Script to stare at him before looking to one another and quickly racing after him.

Fluttershy stood at attention before the other girls, her teal orbs empty as Sunset snapped her fingers, "Fluttershy, state your mission." She said simply as the girl looked to her and turned fully to face her.
"Empress Sunset, it is my mission to carry out any and all orders you give me. My current mission is to find and take the Elements of Harmony by any means necessary and return them to you." She said as her eyes gave off a similar blackish turquoise aura as what surrounded Sunset's own.

Sunset smirked and nodded as she turned to the others, "And the rest of you?" She said as they all knelt before her and spoke in sync.

"We are to take Canterlot and take down anyone that gets in our way." They all stated mechanically as the demonic grin on her face only grew.
'Get ready, Celestia. You too, Cloud... Soon, neither of you will be able to stop me...' She thought as she snapped her fingers and the seven girls left Sunset's abode, 'Let the games begin.'

Chapter Four: Plans in Motion

"Alright, so we all know the plan, right?" Cloud said looking among his friends in the room. Sonic scratched his head as he smiled at the wing he now had protruding from his back while Script played a video game, his eyes focused on the swift moving polygons and pixels. Cloud groaned and clapped his hands as they both suddenly looked over at him, "Hello? Plan to save the known universe over here, wanna repeat it back or somethin'?" He said with a slightly annoyed tone as the two looked at one another as if wordlessly asking if either of them caught it. Cloud groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Alright, we'll go over it one more time. You guys know repeating myself hurts my head, so listen up."

Wow, are you sure you're me? I never put this much effort into... Well... Anything.'
"I've got a date and a concert riding on this, so yeah, I'm gonna put a foot forward." He said passively as he felt a mental shrug before he sat down in front of the two, a Game of Life board sitting in front of them as he readjusted pieces, "We're here and the school's here. Sunny and the rest are probably at her place across town, so we got at least some time, so I say we go find Comet who probably is just as crazy magically enhanced as we are, find a way to fix all'a this and then I go to my CC Concert with Limestone. Case closed, any questions?" He said swiftly as the other two stared at him before both raising their hands, "... I should've seen that coming."

'I did.'
"Shut it, Aether..." He sighed before snapping finger guns at either of them, "Shoot."

"Alright, so like... Plan's pretty clean cut, 'cept for one major thing bro... It's not a plan. It's an outline." Script said confusedly as Sonic nodded.

"Well, an outline is kinda all we got. I'm still questioning pretty much all'a this so I'm working with a blank canvas." Cloud admitted scratching his temple.

"Big true! And besides, we still gotta find Comet. We don't know where he is! Plus, that Twilight girl... You sure she's... Y'know?" Sonic hesitated before striking his hand across his neck and sticking his tongue out dramatically.

Cloud went to answer before he paused and looked down with a bit of guilt on his face, "I... Don't know. She was in the way of a flying construction tool, so it's not out of the question, but if she is, then their being pissed at me has some merit. But that's not important right now, what's important is stopping whatever the heck Sunset is up to." Cloud said readjusting his stance as he stood up, "Anything else?"

"A few things dude. First, you sure we gotta fight the girls? Like, I... I'm gonna be honest, I don't wanna fight Rarity or Fluttershy. Flutters is sweet and Rare... Well..." Script looked away rubbing the back of his neck, a dusting of pink on his face, "She's... Y'know..."

'... No bucking way.' "No fucking way..." Cloud and Aether said in unison, "You still have a crush on that prima donna, don't you?" He asked as Aether simply laughed hysterically.

"Hey, watch it! I mean... Ugh, yeah..." He groaned sitting back down after shooting up onto his feet and slouching over, "I can't help it, dude. She's glamorous, she's beautiful, she's... Amazingly talented too." He admitted rubbing his neck.

"This is so not the time for this. We have better things to worry about and you're pining over the biggest drama queen between either world. Stop Sunset now, we'll worry about her after when the worlds aren't colliding. Work for you?" Aether piped up after his laughing fit ended.

Script growled a bit at Aether's words before taking a deep breath and letting it go carefully, "Yeah... Yeah, you're right. World first, love second." He said as if trying to keep himself mentally in line as he stood, "So where to first?"

Cloud looked up at him and smirked, "Like I said, we gotta find Comet. If anyone could fix this, it's him... But uh..." He rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, "You have any idea where he'd be?"

Across town, Sunset and the mind controlled girls walked through town, people quickly standing out of their way as they passed. Their fear made Sunset smile with pride as she looked over to Rainbow Dash at her side, "Cloud and his pathetic friends will be likely on their way to the school. Run ahead and stop them." She said as Rainbow nodded with a salute before breaking off ahead in a rainbow streak. She grinned wide as she chuckled, "At this rate, taking over both worlds is secured. No one will be able to stop me..." She said looking back at the blank stares of her once enemies behind her, "And how poetic that those that tried to stop me will assist me in making it happen."

She turned her attention forward once more before she noticed a grope of armored winged and horned men and women ran in front of Sunset and her group, "Sunset Shimmer, for whatever you've done to this world, you are to be taken into custody and tried!" A bigger man shouted holding out a spear, though it was a bit messier than a trained soldier would've liked. Seeing this, Sunset smirked and rose her hand up, a teal and black ball of magic appearing in her palm as she swiped it across in front of her, the guards moving to duck or dodge as some screamed in pain and fell to the ground, few not being nearly as lucky as they fell over in heaps. Unloving and unresponsive to the screams of their comrades. She stared at them for a moment and then to her hand as she grinned wider and began laughing as the guards that weren't injured or worse tried to stand their ground.

She simply rose up her demonic clawed hand with a snap towards Applejack who's head turned at attention instantly and said, "Get them out of my sight." Once the order was given, she nodded and leapt into action. Being used to moving bipedal in comparison to the guards, she gained the upper hand quickly. Sounds of cracks, breaks, screams and bludgeoning like music to Sunset's ears as she snapped her fingers once more, the farmhand powerhouse stopping as she moved back to her side as if nothing had happened, nor that she had blood upon her hands as they walked past the bloodied and beaten men and women. Before she left however, she kicked one of the less injured onto his back to reveal a teen holding his twisted right arm and stepped on his chest. She leaned down and said, "Tell Celestia that I'm coming. And that I'm bringing Hell with me..." She said as she released him as he ran screaming from her only making Sunset laugh maniacally upon his rushing away.

Rushing away from Script's home, the three teens were making their way towards the school.
Sonic seemed to be having trouble adjusting constantly to run alongside his friends as he looked over to the other two, "Yo Script! Why didn't you tell us Comet went to the dance!? Kinda would'a been useful info!" He said as he randomly sped up ahead only to regulate and come back to their side.

"It took me a sec to think about it! He messaged me during a comp game and I didn't see it 'til my eyes may as well've been closed!" He admitted as he panted, trying his best to run with them, "Man... Has the school always been this far?"

"Given what's going on with literally everything? Probably not. But we gotta keep going." Cloud said before he concentrated and began to levitate from the ground, flying alongside the other two as he looked down to Sonic, "Don't worry about outrunning us! Make sure Comet is okay and that Sunset isn't already there." Aether said.

Sonic sighed in relief as he nodded and gave a quick salute as he broke away with burst of heavy wind, nearly knocking the other two back as he sped down the street. Script panted and looked up at Cloud with a groan, "Lucky... Man, wish I had one of those cool hoverboards from Rampant Racers 3... That super cool one with the silver trim and triple boosters..." He said as his horn slowly began to glow before he tripped up and landed on something thick and heavy beneath him. Though he'd fallen, he found that he was still moving as he looked around and noticed under his stomach was the very board he had just wished for beneath him. He stared in shock and awe at the board as he noticed a controller with a quill under it on the front and only grew a bright smile as he readied himself and hopped onto his feet, steadying himself on it and began riding with an excited cheer, "That's what I'm talking about! Dude, these new powers rule!" He laughed speeding along as Cloud rolled his eyes and flew faster to keep up.

Further ahead, Sonic saw the school coming into view as he gave another sigh of relief, "Whew, good. Looks like I got here first! Now let's find Co--" before he could finish his sentence, a rainbow blue shot out from his side and tackled him off his feet and away from the school, through a few bushes and trees and into a nearby park. As they rolled, Sonic groaned and grunted before landing into a backwards roll and using it to kick off his assailant. Stumbling onto his feet, he looked ahead and who threw him away from his goal only to see Rainbow Dash, leaning off a tree she'd been thrown against as she began marching towards him. Sonic tilted his head and groaned as he began hopping back and forth with his fists up, "Man... Figures it wouldn't have been that easy..." He groaned in concern as they stared one another down.

Meanwhile, as the two groups continued their March unto battle, the sounds of shouting and confusion arose from what seemed to be an odd combination of the gymnasium and a throne room as Luna stood by as faculty/consultants shouted their concerns and bewilderment at one another.

"We need to secure the kids still inside! They could get hurt!" Charlie shouted looking around at the rest of them.
"Hurt? Forget hurt, we don't even know what's going for this to have happened! Why am I part ASS!?" Mr. Doodle shouted gesturing to himself.
"Well, you certainly act enough like one now don'tcha?" Granny Smith shouted back slamming her fists on the meeting table.

The three continued on like this before Princess/Vice-Principal Luna slammed her fists on the table and shouted "SILENCE THIS INSTANT!!!" as her voice echoed and reverberated through the hall and building itself, louder than any PA system. The three immediately stopped and stared in shock at her as she cleared her throat, "My apologies... All of your concerns are warranted and unsderstood, but until we get a grasp on the situation, we should make safety of the other students and faculty top priority. Turning on one another will get us nowhere." She explained as the three of them looked to each other and nodded, a welcome sign to Luna, "Now, go check on the students. I'm going to check on my sister." She said as she walked away, the other three leaving towards the cafeteria.

Making her way down the halls of Canterlot High, though the twists and turns were oddly more abundant than she'd have liked, Luna made her way to the nurse's office where Celestia sat staring down upon a bandaged, barely breathing Twilight Sparkle. Also turned half pony like them. As she came over, Celestia sighed and looked towards her sister with reddened eyes, "Sister... Has she still yet to awaken to thine pleas?" Luna said worriedly as she sat at her sister's side of whom only shook her head slowly, "She still draws breath, sister. Thankfully it might only be a concussion... We can only hope now that Twilight awakens soon. And what of my student? Where has he gone?" she asked curiously as Celestia took a steadying breath.

"He claimed that something felt wrong... And went to the front of the school... I worry for him, Lulu, but... I cannot leave Twilight's side. Not the way she is now." she said gently brushing the hair from Twilight's face, "... What is going on... Why would Sunset do all this? Out of spite of me? The crown? Why would she--" she stopped as Luna placed a hand upon her shoulder, drawing her attention over to her sister.

"We knew long before now that Sunset held a darkness inside her, Tia. Her hate manifested and finally broke out... And it seemed Twilight just happened to be in the middle of it." She said looking down at the unconscious girl as she took a slow breath, "... My student will do what he can, I'm sure. Especially if it means defending Twilight." She said reassuringly as Celestia looked towards her with a questioning, almost insulted glance.

"And what makes you believe, dearest little sister, that your student could do what mine could not in stopping Sunset?" she said with a tone of disdain in her tone as Luna looked off towards the door.

"Putting it simply, Tia... I know he can..." At the front of the school stood Comet, his posture straight with his hands neatly behind his back, a cold, dead expression on his face as his eyes glazed over, a gentle snowfall around him standing in a white, silver trimmed suit and tie with his glasses neatly placed upon his nose as he stood still as stone, "For he knows not the ways of peace in times of dire straits. He will crush Sunset should she show her face... She will understand why the guard proclaimed his title unto him." she said with a sense of pride as Sunset came around the corner of the school from the left, Script and Cloud appearing from the right.

Celestia's gaze became one of confusion as she tilted her head, "Title...? And what title would that be?" She asked as outside, Sunset's group rushed towards the school and Script ran after them, Sunset and Cloud rushing towards one another as Comet's eyes shown a bright white as the snow picked up and spread further out and around the town as the winds blew into and threw Sunset and the others off. Looking towards him they'd see him floating in front of the school with a swirling icy wind around him,

"The Last Wendigo." she said pridefully as the groups all stared up at Comet in shock and awe. While Cloud stared with wide eyes at his friend, Aether whistled in the back of his mind.

'... I think we found him.'

Chapter Five: Confrontations

Sonic held his hands up defensively looking towards Rainbow Dash who began moving towards him slowly, "Ah shit... Yo, Rainbow! C'mon, snap out of it! What's up with you? Is this about what Cloud did? There's no way this is all on him! You know Sunset's just pulling strings like she always does-- Whoa!" He shouted as he leapt to the side, the sudden rainbow streak shooting past him with Sonic going into a roll and skidding across the ground to avoid her. Jumping back up to his feet, he shook off the shock and looked over at her with a nervous glance, "Oookay, talking isn't on the table! Got it, noted, no more talki-- I'm still talking, aren't I?" he groaned before leaping over her in a quick somersault and landing behind her in a crouch. "Huh... That one felt familiar-- Ow!" he shouted being suddenly kicked in the back and sent careening across the open area of the park.

He groaned and shouted upon each impact with the ground before doing his best to launch off with a handspring into a flip, managing to skid and spin out of control but regardless ending up on his feet. Between spins and slowing down gradually, he saw her charging towards him again. 'Crap, oh crap, oh crap! How am I supposed to dodge that!?' he panicked mentally as he shut his eyes and braced for impact. When it came, he realized the blow was softer than he expected. Although the slam against the tree a few meters back was about what he'd expected.

After groaning and opening his eyes to see what'd happened, he saw one large, blue wing arched around in front of him. He blinked and stared at it before chuckling in awe and turning to growing excited laughter as he stood up against the tree, "Oh yeah, that's cool... Now we're talkin'!" he called out as he got into a running stance. "Alright, Dash... You wanna fight? Well I'm done holding back!" He called out as he grew a wide smile, his emerald eyes sparking with life as he dashed towards her with a burst of wind following behind as Rainbow Dash charged him back. The two streaks flew towards one another with fists drawn back, Sonic's wide smile only growing while Rainbow's fuchsia eyes held little to no response before they collided.

Cloud and Script continued to stare in shock at their friend hovering in front of their school as snow twisted and raged around him. They looked at one another and then over towards Sunset and the girls with an irritated groan, "Ah shit..." Sunset, shaking off her own shock, swiftly turned and took on her demonic form once more before pointing towards the two ahead of them. "Yo, Gamer! Whatever your new abilities do, learn 'em quick and get ready cause they're coming!" He said as he pocketed his hands and took a slow breath.

'Aether.'

'Sup?'

'I know what we can do now, right? What're the chances that--'

'If we don't fuck her day, Comet will. Trust.'

'Noted.' He thought as his eyes shot open and took a bright glow rising his hands up to his sides, "Hey, Sunset? I would say I'm sorry for what's about to happen... But the cowgirl next to you giving me the death eyes told me not to lie a while back, so I'm gonna trust her on that!" He called out as she roared the order to charge, the five girls rushing at them with malicious intent, making Aether pause in thought, "... Oh right, there's two of us and five of the-- Wait... Where's Rainbow Dash?" he said in confusion before he looked off to their side and saw a large royal blue and rainbow hurricane burst out a few miles off.

"Does that answer our question?"

'I'd say so, yeah. Also, angry cowgirl at 12 o'clock.'

"Noted." Aether stated as he quickly turned to face Applejack's fist mere nanometers from his face before she seemed to phase and fly through him. He smirked and turned to watch her lunge forward into a roll, carried further than she expected from the momentum. "Damn, I almost felt the wind there, Crabapple. Wanna try again? I'll stand extra still this time." He said, the enraged farmhand growling and turning to rush him again, "Oh boy, here we go." he said as she continued swinging at him, standing perfectly still and casually phasing through her strikes chuckling at her growing frustration, "Yeah, keep going. I'm sure you'll land one sometime... Maybe." he said snickering a little harder as he continued floating there.

"Whoa... Dude, you're busted!" Script called out laughing before looking over and seeing the other three girls rushing towards him, "... Ah... Crap baskets..." He said with a noticeable groan in his voice before he flew upwards on his board, the girls narrowly missing their haphazard attacks though one of Pinkie's plastic spatulas made purchase just barely causing him to spin out. Once he gained control again, he gave a relieved sigh before seeing Rarity float up in front of him atop a diamond platform, "Oh come on, it had to be you?! Why couldn't it have been--" He paused and looked down looking between his choices below, "... Uh... Huh... Well, that sucks." He said before being punched by the usually dainty hand of Rarity and spiraling away holding his cheek with a groan, "Ow... Could Rarity always hit like that? Man, she's stronger than I thought... Both physically and in mental fortitude." He said losing track of himself in his minor daydream before being struck again with a strike to his chin, he and the board being sent into a flip.

Halfway through the flip, his feet lost their grip of the latches to keep him in place, leaving him in a momentary free-fall before just barely catching the edge of the floating board and climbing back on with some difficulty. Once his feet were secured, he looked back on Rarity seeing her glazed over eyes and her face blank of emotion save for anger as she rushed towards him. With a sharp inhale, he launched off to the side out of her way only for her to immediately give chase. With a panicked look over his shoulder he could see her gaining on him as he dove down and began flying over the snowy terrain in a sharp movement, hoping to throw her off his trail at least a little before looking back in front and being met with the dead eyes of Pinkie Pie. Her hair was straight and her face empty, just like Rarity, which only caused Gamer to panic more as he screeched to a halt as she pulled out and held a straight baking knife out in front of her and narrowly stopping just in front of her with his hands raised, "Whoa! P-Pinkie?! Pinks, c'mon, it's me! Gamer Script?" He said in hope she'd snap out of it with his announcement.

Instead, she only flipped the dull icing blade upside down and moved to stab him which he quickly jumped back from and fell into the snow, the board taking the hit and vanishing in a flurry of pixels. His eyes flashed with shock and fear as the pixels began flowing back to him and into his horn as he quickly stood and backed away from her, the feeling of something soft against his back. Turning quickly to look, he saw Fluttershy facing the ground, relief taking his startled gaze, "Oh thank God, Fluttershy! Y'gotta help me out here! Something's up with Rare and Pinks and I don't-- ... Fluttershy?" He said cautiously, realizing her unresponsiveness to all this before his hand was taken into hers and risen up slowly. She looked up at him, her eyes also glazed over and tears falling freely from them as she swiftly turned and threw him over her shoulder and onto his back. Knocking the wind from his lungs upon colliding with the snowed over cement as he went wide-eyed and mouth agape in shock.

He laid there for a moment as Rarity floated to the ground and made her way towards him, putting a foot to his chest as Fluttershy came over and did the same, pressing her boot to his neck while Pinkie lumbered over with the dulled weapon risen up, crouching down over him and holding his horn to keep his head still, 'Shit, right, of course Shy's possessed or something too. Dammit! I can't fight them! I could never hurt Pinkie or Flutters! I definitely couldn't hurt...' He wandered as he looked towards Rarity's cold glare, his aquamarine orbs meeting those of cloudy sapphires. He slowly closed his eyes with pained tears pricking and threatening to fall from them as he held their legs to try and keep them from stomping on his chest any harder, 'Please... Don't make me fight them! I don't want to fight them! But I don't wanna die to them either! I'd never forgive myself if they actually got hurt cause of me! Why?! Why the hell's this all happening!?' he mentally begged and pleaded to no one.

'Under the heel of your enemy and still you beg for mercy from yourself. Pathetic. I refuse to believe such a weakling is my equal, let alone another me. An angry, growling voice said with disgust within Script's mind.

'S-Shut up... They're my friends! I could never--'

'As I've heard. You're helpless and hopeless. Do you wish to die here? To your so-called 'friends'? The voice challenged once more.

'Of course I don't, but does it have to be them or me!? Do I have to put myself on the line or one of them just to get outta this!?' He pleaded as he could feel the air escaping him, his sight wavering as did his grip as Pinkie leaned down with the knife risen back.

The voice within only growled and seethed with heavy huffs of anger, fire burning in his heart and mind as they began to close, Your prattling is annoying, boy. If you won't do it, then I will!' The voice echoed as Script gasped and his eyes shot open, slowly gaining a lime green shade. His hair growing and turning a crimson red to amber orange into a golden shade splaying around him. His skin darkening from a lighter gray to a shade better resembling smoke, his teeth growing sharper as he visibly began to grow beneath the boots of the girls. Seeing this, Pinkie went to stab down at his head only for her wrist to be grabbed, a glow flaring from his palm as she screamed and stumbled back holding her wrist and seeing a blackened burn along it. Taking notice of the sudden shout, Everyone else turned to see what was going on as Rarity and Fluttershy's legs were grabbed roughly as they were tossed off to either side of him, Fluttershy falling into a roll away towards where the statue once was whole and Rarity up to the steps where Comet continued floating, his stance unwavering at the display.

Aether watched the two go flying and at the burned, groaning Pinkie Pie as the now blazing behemoth rose up from the ground, his horn now curved upwards as he cracked his knuckles and neck to the side taking a deep breath and glaring with burning lime green eyes around at the slowly recovering girls around him. "Only three of you? This won't take long." He seethed as he took a stance with his hands risen up in front of him with his hands curved like claws, awaiting the girls to make the first move. Seeing him take his stance, the girls each looked at one another before Pinkie Pie took up a rubber spatula and the icing knife as she raced towards him with the knife arched backwards, leaping up and moving to stab him with it. He quickly turned leaving a scorching mark in the ground where his foot slid across the ground and grabbed Pinkie's knife arm in hand, yanking her down into his knee as she made a squeak of pain and was sent back rolling towards the adjacent wall, sliding into a pile of snow.

Aether whistled in surprise as he had another punch swung through his head, "You done? Seriously, you're just wasting energy on me at this point." He said as he pointed over to the man ahead of them, "You want a fight, go try him. He's kinda bodying your friends." He said with a bored expression as he looked past her and towards Fluttershy who held her ankle seeing a burn mark on it just like what had happened to Pinkie Pie, his boredom wavering for a moment seeing her hurt. He shifted his glance back to Applejack who looked between the two and growled before deciding to rush at the blazing beast with a battle cry leaving Aether alone. Now free of Applejack's attention, his eyes ceased their glow looking back towards where the large multi-toned whirlwind continued to rage, "I'm gonna guess that's Sonic too... Damn, and I thought we just called him a whirlwind cause of his room."

Holding Rarity up in his left hand, Gamer rose his hand back balled into a smoking fist before hearing Applejack rush at him from behind shouting out and deciding to let his hand fall as he turned and flung the fashionista at the farmgirl, both being sent back a solid few feet with Applejack skidding back from catching her and placing her on her feet though she wobbled and fell to her knees. Applejack growled and continued on her warpath as she tackled into his abdomen only to be grabbed around her waist and flipped upside-down. Stubborn as she was, Applejack refused to let him go as he wrapped his left arm around her waist and kept her legs up as he thrust his free fist into her stomach as if beating a bongo with fierce, repeated hits and making her grunt and groan from the strikes. Even with all the punishment she was taking she refused to let him go, though he seemed only annoyed that she would not release him as his strikes audibly connected harder and harder until she heard a crack, making her scream out as she finally let him go. Now being free of her hold, he spun and threw her alongside Pinkie who was just recovering only to have her more toned friend fly into her as they both ended up in a snowdrift.

As the other girls dealt with or were dealt with by Gamer, or whoever he'd become, Sunset's razor sharp teeth only clenched with anger. 'How in the name of Tartarus are they being held back so damned easily!? What did I expect from a bunch of idiot high school girls! Fine then,' she thought glaring over towards Cloud who was watching the tornado in the background, 'I'll just get rid of that idiot myse--' As Sunset moved to charge towards Cloud, a pillar of ice shot up from beneath her and sent her screaming skyward before she forced her claws and a burst of her tainted magic through it, shattering it twenty feet up. She roared in anger looking around before seeing the ice retreat back to it's source: The cold-eyed form of Comet glaring up at her. She smirked and charged back to the ground in a crouch before moving towards him slowly, a sway to her as she spoke. "Comet? Why do you turn your anger towards me, huh? I'm not the one who killed Sparkle, that was--" She was once again interrupted as another pillar shot out from her right side beneath her and sent her into the side of the school with a crash.

Aether, the burning Script and the girls all looked up to see what'd happened as she once again erupted the pillar and coughed from the strike, her wings flaring out as she growled at Comet who adjusted his glasses. The snow around them creating a bright light that made them seem to shimmer as he spoke, "Do not try to sway me as you did them. I am not so easily tricked. What you did to her... Did to my Twily," he said as the snow raged around them, the light quickly being blocked out by the ever darkening snow clouds above, showing his empty, emotionless eyes, "Shall be repaid a quintillion fold and beyond, fallen student of Celestia."

Sunset's eyes widened as she gasped, 'He... He knows!?'

'Did he just say 'Twily'?

"Oh right... That's Twilight's cousin-in-law where I'm from. Name's Comet. Also, he's supposedly Princess Luna's student. Found some books she wrote in before she was banished to the moon. Some were written by her alter ego, Nightmare Moon before she was released or something, I can't remember and neither can the writer."

'Of the books?'

"... Sure, we'll go with that for now." He said with a shrug before Sunset suddenly flew up into their face, "Oh shit, right. Her." He stared at her for a moment before another hefty pillar was summoned just inches in front of them which, once again, threw Sunset into the air before it shattered. Before she could recover from the previous strike, another pillar materialized above her and dropped down, Aether leaping out of the way as Sunset screamed in pain and shock being sent into the ground with a crash, "Yikes... That's gonna be a helluva construction bill."

"Good, she's being taken care of," The man that was once Script said as he looked ahead, the straight haired Pinkie Pie rushing towards him as she leaped up with dark intent in her eye ready for a kick before he grabbed her outstretched leg and spun her, throwing her back into Applejack who tried to catch her and was sent into the snow once more. Rarity moved towards him swiftly with a crystal rapier in hand as he used his greater reach to send a swift jab her way and landing a shot to her nose making her fumble back before she spun and lunged towards him hoping to land a strike. Having seemed to learn from the first time, she dodged past his incoming jab only for a quick sideswipe to her lower abdomen to strike her with his free hand as another burn mark appeared in the spot he'd hit before booting her away and into the newly risen Pinkie and Applejack, "And would you brats stay down? It's just annoying at this point watching you try!" He roared at them as he looked towards Fluttershy who'd been keeping away from the conflict.
He slowly turned and moved towards her with hands smoking, the area around him melting and evaporating the snow, Fluttershy's empty eyes continuing to flood with tears as he neared her. Seeing this, Aether vanished from sight before reappearing and hovering in front of him with arms outstretched. "Hey, Big fella! We're not trying to kill them, just stop whatever's going on in their heads, capiche?" He said as the hot head scoffed out a small puff of fire, "I'll take that as an 'understood'. By the way, your name. What is it?" He inquired as he crossed one leg over the other floating in between he and Fluttershy.

"Not that it'll matter once everything in this odd world is done, but it's--" Before he could finish, Sunset burst free from the frozen pillar, breaking it into large chunks as a couple of relatively heavy chunks flew towards the three of them. Script roared and punched the ice into semi-melted pieces while Aether quickly turned and wrapped his arms around Fluttershy, the debris simply phasing through the two of them, "This one doesn't stay down long..."

After making sure the debris was past, he sighed and let her go looking towards Sunset, "Pretty sure it's that dumb tiara on her head. Belonged to Twilight in our world. If we can get it off'a her then we-- Whoa..." Aether said with a swoon as his eyes began to dull and stop glowing, landing onto the ground on his back with a groan. Shaking his head, he looked up towards Script and Fluttershy, then to Sunset, "W-What just... Aether?"

'Whoa... O-Okay, minor miscalculation... I can't hold it in that long around here. Seems like five minutes is about my limit. Until I'm juiced up again... You're on your own. Sorry.' Hearing this, Cloud's eyes widened as he slowly rose up to his feet with a bit of a dizzied sway.

"But... Then what about the--" Before the words could leave his mouth, Applejack and the others pulled their way out of the snow, holding their injured areas and stepping out glaring at him, "... Shit... Hey, at least I've still got--" He stopped once more as he looked over at the sound of gasping and collapsing to the ground as a panting, slightly shivering Script was back at his side, the rage and heat from before gone in an instant.

"Nope, sorry dude... Big guy's down for the count." He said standing up and leaning on him for a bit extra support, "Hey, things can't get worse though, right? Sonic's still out there giving Rainbow a fight!" he said with an optimistic pat on his shoulder.

"I get the feeling you're about to be proven horribly wrong..."

"Why'dya say tha-- Is that screaming?" he said as they both looked up seeing a blue and rainbow trail leading from the park as there was, in fact, screaming coming from it, the rainbow suddenly separating from the blue as Rainbow Dash hovered above them, Sonic falling and rolling up next to them with a groan as he looked up in a daze.

"Oh, hey guys! When'd you get to Antarctica? ... Oh, hello twinkly stars." He said before falling face first into the snow.

As the two looked down at their friend and then around them at the slowly approaching girls, Cloud just sighed and looked up at Script, "If we live through this, do me a favor."

"Whazzat?"

"Never say 'Things can't get worse' ever-- and I mean E V E R -- Again in your life." He said pulling Sonic onto his feet stumbling as he rose his fists up like an old-timey boxer as the girls began closing in.

Chapter Six: Commitment & Resistance

Author's Note

Well, it has been a HOT minute, but we're back! I've had a lot of life hitting me lately and I had to step away for just a smidgen, but I'm back! New Chapter coming out, hopefully, soon. But no promises. Anyway, enjoy this, the sixth chapter of A Guardian's Rise.

Chapter Six: Commitment & Resistance

Sonic groaned as he struggled to his feet swaying back and forth with his fists up dazedly, a light trickling of blood flowing from his head. Script looked around at the slowly approaching group of girls as he rose his hand back and materialized an oddly made shield, the front piece surrounded by a glowing essence and outlined by metal segments. His eyes only widened further as he looked ahead at them and held the shield up with a more panicked breathing, rushing in front of Sonic and Cloud, "G-Get back! S-Seriously, please!" He begged as Rainbow Dash landed down and broke into a sprint towards them, slamming her fist into the shield causing him to be shoved back a bit into his friends by the force. Though he was staggered hard by the strike, he was just barely keeping himself grounded as he struggled to shove Rainbow back, sending her away a foot or two into a flip as she hovered above the other girls.

Meanwhile, Comet continued to fend off the enraged demoness that was Sunset. Her attacks had become erratic and predictable, allowing him to quickly counter her and send her flying away with his pillars or even bring up shields of ice when a torrent of magical fire was blown down upon him. Being sent into the air again, she growled in seething rage flipping back up into an upright position before spotting that Cloud and the others seemed to return to normal. She grinned monstrously and called down, "What are you waiting for?! Kill them!" She called out as the five of them began to rush towards them with intent.

Cloud grit his teeth as he saw them coming from all directions, Rainbow Dash throwing blow after blow at Script's shield and sending him a few inches back with every blow. Cracks soon began to ripple throughout as he was pinned against the podium that was once the portal and the Wondercolt statue, Sonic and Cloud moving to get out of the way. Script, unable to move from his trapped position, began hyperventilating watching Rainbow pick up speed in her strikes before him, tears trailing down his face as he could feel the shield starting to give, "Stop! P-Please stop!" he shouted out in fear as the shield shattered and digitized back to his horn.

He stared in fear as the emotionless grimace on Rainbow's face refused to budge, reeling a fist back before being tackled off to the side by Sonic as they went into a tumble with him landing on top of her, doing his best to block her blurred strikes and being struck himself a few times before he finally got a grip on her hands and pinned them above her head, "Stop! Stop it, Dash! Do you seriously not recognize us at all?!" He shouted before she arched her legs up around his waist from his straddling position on her stomach. He looked at her legs and then to her with a nervous chuckle, "Uh... Kinky?" He said before he was sent onto his back with a heavy thud and a groan as his hold on her wrists wavered enough for her to free her hands. Once she was free, she spun him around onto his front and put his legs into a modified submission hold as she began pulling his legs backwards forcefully, making him cry out in pain.

Being temporarily freed from Rainbow's onslaught, Script panted with tears surging down his face as he turned to run only to be met with Rarity giving him a heavy punch, sending him tumbling as he rolled back onto his feet only to be turned around by Applejack who's hit was far heavier. Sending him skyward a few feet with an uppercut as he fell back onto the ground where he was then surrounded by the two and Pinkie Pie who seemed to lose her utensils and decided to simply start kicking and stomping him with the other two, making him scream and shout in pain trying his best to protect his head from their attacks, "C-Cloud! Run, help, anything! Please!" He begged among his screams as he was kicked hard in the back.

Cloud's eyes shifted around between his friends being assaulted, the empty faces of their attackers, slowly up towards Sunset who laughed heartily at them as he clutched his fists and clenched his teeth, 'Aether... I don't care what you've gotta do. Help them!' he said as he felt a hand around his neck as he was brought back to reality by Sunset clutching his throat tight, "S-Sun--"

"What's wrong, Cloud? Don't tell me you actually care about them. I know you. You're a void of emotion. An empty, shallow husk!" She growled slamming him to the ground as he panted in pain looking back at the others who were still trying their hardest, struggling the entire time. It seemed Script had managed to create some odd field around his body while Sonic groaned and was doing his best to get some kind of leverage from Rainbow's hold. Seeing them struggle against the girls they all once saw as friends, he seemed to fall still before he started laughing, catching Sunset off-guard as he looked up at her, "W-What's so funny!? Have you finally lost your--"

"Duck, bitch..." he groaned as she looked confused at him and then behind her seeing Fluttershy's foot land against her head, sending her rolling with a groan of pain. She flew up and growled as she went for a dive before her wings were suddenly held back, chains of shimmering ice gripping them at the base of her back as more began capturing her arms and legs. Fluttershy panted and leaned down to pull Cloud up onto his feet, "Flutters... Thanks for the save." He said with a grin as she nodded, her eyes clear of their haze as she pulled him back up.

"I-I don't know what happened... I just... I saw you all fighting so hard and getting injured and I--" she stopped as she heard a crack like glass as she and Cloud turned looking back at Script who's shimmering body shield seemed to be breaking. Cloud turned to Comet who seemed to be struggling to hold back the seething she-demon, "Comet's hands are full and I don't want to hurt my friends... But I will if I have to!" She said in a more assured tone as Cloud nodded and stood up straight.

Inside the school, Luna and Celestia glanced towards the door, having barricaded it on Comet's request. Though Luna had faith in him, she couldn't help but be worried as Celestia kept her eyes on Twilight as she had since all this began. "Please, Twilight... Please open your eyes. Your friends, your family... They're all hurting. They need you." She implored as she held her hand tightly, feeling the weakened pulse as she hung her head low.

"It sounds bad out there... There must be others out there fighting back against her," Luna reasoned as she turned to Celestia, "If that is indeed the case, I believe we should take this time to try and move Twilight Sparkle somewhere more secure? Perhaps attempt to get her to a proper hospital?" She said looking through the infirmary window cautiously. Looking back to Celestia, she noticed that she seemed completely unresponsive to her suggestions. All her attention still centered on Twilight. Seeing this, Luna came over to her and placed a gentle, careful hand on her shoulder, snapping her back to reality as she slowly peered up towards Luna, "Sulking for her does her no good, dearest sister. If you want to help her, we should--" She was cut off as the two felt a sudden surging of magic, peering over quickly to the unconscious girl at their side in shock.

Back outside, Cloud had begun trying to divert the attention of Pinkie and Applejack by doing what he figured he did best: Be annoying. He flicked their ears, pushed them, honked their noses all while quickly rushing between the two in an effort to dodge their strikes at him, all while Fluttershy did her best to push back Rarity who seemed hellbent on bludgeoning Script. Struggling against her binds, Sunset roared out at the two of them, "How?! How did you release yourself from my hold?! That spell should've buried you under my control!" she shouted being slowly pulled to the ground by Comet's chains.

"It's simple, really." He said looking back towards her after leaping onto the statue's pedestal, his eye glowing a bright blue as he smiled, "I've got a commitment to keep to these guys. They're my friends, after all. But I'm sure you know nothing about that, huh?" he said, his voice seeming to come out in stereo as he looked to Fluttershy, "If you can get Sonic to his feet, I think he can handle Rainbow in the third round. I'll try and help Script." Fluttershy nodded and rushed over towards Rainbow and Sonic, grabbing Rainbow Dash's arms and doing her best to pull them back to release her hold on Sonic, having to stand over him to get the proper angle.

Sonic, doing his best to arch himself up and out of Dash's hold didn't notice Fluttershy, slowly raising himself up so he was partially standing on his hands at a slant. "I... Ain't... Out... Yet!" He shouted as his eyes flared a bright white, spinning himself in a tight tucked somersault and catching Rainbow Dash off guard as Fluttershy used the momentary shock to yank her away and onto the ground. The two falling made Fluttershy yelp and Rainbow groan as they looked ahead at Sonic, a white aura flowing off him as he looked back and flared out his wing in a crouched stance. Seeing this, Fluttershy quickly let go of Rainbow Dash, getting out of the way of her swinging down at where Fluttershy's face was as she leaped up onto her feet and seemed to grin, her eyes flickering as Sonic returned it. While they stared one another down, the aura coalesced to his back and became a glowing white wing, replacing the missing one.

"I know you're still in there, Dash... And I know you don't wanna lose, ever. So show me! Show me the Rainbow Dash I've been competing with for years!" He shouted as he blitzed at her in a blue and white streak with blue star-like sparkles as Rainbow dashed back, the two colliding fists as a large burst of magical wind shot around them and made the others around lose their balance for a moment. The two leaped back as they began chasing one another, swinging and dodging or blocking one another as they raced around, Rainbow leaping backwards as she flew and flipped with her feet pressed to the statue's podium before she launched herself at Sonic who spun and returned a heavy kick to collide with Rainbow's rebounding punch.

Script, just being able to make out what was happening now that the other three seemed to be distracted by Cloud's annoyance and the fight between Rainbow and Sonic, stared in awe at their friend's power as he clenched his fists, 'I'm so stupid... I know I need to fight, but... They're my--'

'Say that word and you will forever be a weakling unfit for our body.' The burning voice from before growled as Script's eyes widened. He turned and found himself in a sort of void standing across from a bright flame in the shape of some sort of equine, their eyes bright white as they marched up to him, 'Your pathetic whining disgusts me, but I know you have the heart of a warrior somewhere within you, for we are one. I will not lead you through every battle, for your actions must be your own! I refuse to allow a weakling like you to further sully my power, and so, you will carry out this fight!' He shouted as he repeatedly jabbed his hoof into Script's chest, 'Remember these words! We do not waver before the enemy, even if they were once ally! We do not stop until the battle is done, lest we lose another day! We are not simply a being! We are Kirin!' He roared as the flames burst out and surrounded Script before he found himself back looking at Sonic and Rainbow.

He panted and nodded, "Heart of a warrior? I'm no fighter..." He said before smiling as he quickly scrambled away from Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity, going into a dive roll and skidding away as he leaned a hand back, "But if there's one thing I know I am," He said with a bright grin as he slung his fist back, a large gauntlet appearing along with the rest of his arm being clad in a golden spiked armor as he clenched the fist with digital electricity surging up it and into his eye, "It's a gamer!" He shouted as he summoned another shield on his opposing arm.

Applejack, now realizing that he'd gotten away from them, rushed towards him with a shout as she punched down at him which he blocked before going into a spinning uppercut to her stomach, making her cough as she was flung into the air. She flew back and onto the snowy ground a few meters away as she groaned and struggled to her feet. He took a sharp inhale through his teeth seeing her go flying as he called a quick apology her way and looked over to see Pinkie leap onto his back and wrap her arms around his neck in a headlock, making him stumble as he de-summoned the gauntlet. Instead, appearing in his hand was an odd silver device that he threw over to land on top of the statue's remains. Snapping his now gloved hand, he disappeared from sight, making Pinkie fall to the ground as he reappeared in the device's place as it digitalized into his horn again. "Whoo! That was a rush... Kinda weird tho-- Whoa!" he shouted as he dodged a diamond disc thrown at him by Rarity who summoned more. He stared down at her and leapt off as he summoned a glowing cyan blade and swiped his hand over his eyes to create a visor that glowed to life, "I don't wanna do this, Rare... But if you won't stand down, I'm gonna have to--" He was cut off as he slashed another disc in half as it implanted in the podium behind him, "Okay, fine!" He called out as he readied the blade in both hands, the shield fading into his hands as they were now clasped in steel gauntlets with glowing cyan circuits.

Seeing that Rarity would be busy with Script and Sonic was handling Rainbow Dash, Cloud and Fluttershy were faced with Applejack and Pinkie Pie who were recovering from their attempt at stopping Script. Fluttershy hid slightly behind Cloud who looked back at her and pat her hand on his shoulder, "Chill. I won't hurt them." He said as they both ran at him, Fluttershy gasping and about to shout before he snapped his free hand, the two lunging into portals as Applejack flew out colliding with Pinkie Pie as they skid back some, "See?"

Sunset stared in anger and confusion seeing the battle continue on as a laugh came from Rainbow Dash that caught her attention as she and Sonic didn't seem to be fighting to kill anymore, but it seemed more like sparring as she lunged out of the way of his strike only to be caught in a grapple from behind that she laughed and grunted trying to fight against, "Say it!"

"No way, weirdo! You're not getting me that easy!"

"Wanna bet?" He said laughing as they went into a tumble befitting a pair of children rolling down a hill.

"No... No! How is this happening!?" Sunset shouted as she turned and saw Pinkie look at the portal and slowly slink a hand through, her empty glare softening as she saw her hand poke out from the other side. Her eyes began to sparkle as her hair puffed up again and she began giggling and leaping through the portal back and forth as Applejack groaned and chuckled a bit watching Pinkie bounce around, holding her injured stomach. "N-No! Stop it! They're the enemy, remember?! They killed Twilight! They--"

"I didn't do anything, actually." he said as he snapped his fingers, the portal shutting after Pinkie made it back through as Fluttershy caught her.

Rarity paused in her disc slinging as she shook her head, her eyes sparkling with life again, "W-Wha... Gamer?" She said in surprise as he panted and de-summoned the items he'd brought forth.

He smiled and gave a small salute, "At your service always, Rare..." he said with a tired bashfulness. Upon the two being free from their fight, they looked over towards a glowing screen that seemed to appear just over the street. It seemed to recall the night of the dance from Cloud's perspective as it replayed the situation over, "Twilight, dear..."

"As you can plainly see, ladies and gentlecolts of the jury, I am quite innocent in this." he said before looking to Sunset, "You on the other hand? Not so much."

"He's... He's right... My word, Script, I'm so sorry! Oh, look at you! You're covered in bruises and-- Are you bleeding!?" she said in shock cupping his cheeks and looking to his head and nose which both trickled blood as well as a bruised eye as he stiffened up and turned a deep red, "My goodness, darling! You need a hospital!" she said worriedly as he nodded, not wanting to dissuade her from holding his cheek.

Rainbow and Sonic dashed up to the group in a blur as they laughed heartily, an arm over one another's shoulder, "That was so cool! Dude, Sonic, your new look? So sick!" She said giving him a more playful jab as Sonic rubbed his chest and returned it.

"Oh, like you and your wild rainbow trail thing? Those moves were way past cool!" He admitted as they continued to nerd out at one another's new abilities.

Cloud smiled with a sigh as his glowing eye extinguished, "Well... Looks like all's well that ends we--Aaah!" He shouted as a purplish-orange flame blasted into his back, sending him a few meters away onto the ground. Everyone gave a gasp of shock as Script, Sonic and Fluttershy all rushed over to him, the other girls coming over as well to check on him.

Applejack, however, looked back towards Sunset who had a glowing hand risen with a dark grin. She gave a low cackle as she whispered, "Got you... Cloudy."

Chapter Seven: Awakening

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.